Guy Harvey to design hull artwork for Norwegian Escape

Images of the Norwegian Cruise Line ship Norwegian Escape, which debuted in October 2015 and sails year-round from its home in Miami. The hull art is by Guy Harvey.

Arlene Satchell, Sun Sentinel

Guy Harvey is perhaps best known for his gamefish T-shirt designs, but the marine artist and conservationist's artwork is about to make waves on a whole new level.

Norwegian Cruise Line has tapped Harvey to design the signature hull artwork for its largest ship, launching in October 2015, the Miami-based cruise operator announced Wednesday.

Harvey, who has ties to South Florida's eco-tourism and ocean conservation sectors, unveiled his design for the 4,200-passenger Norwegian Escape during a media event at the Cruise Shipping Miami conference.

The new ship will be based in Miami year-round for seven-day sailings to the eastern Caribbean starting Nov. 14, 2015.

"The iconic creatures that are painted on the hull of the ship are the epitome of what we have here in South Florida," Harvey said.

The largest piece of art on the ship's bow will feature a sailfish, the iconic gamefish of this area, and along the hull there will be a number of Caribbean favorites such as turtles and stingrays, Harvey said.

The hull artwork will also feature frigate birds in flight, and the largest of all fish, the whale shark, he added.

"Guy Harvey is the perfect artist to design Norwegian Escape's hull artwork because he is so passionate about the sea and his marine artwork is so life-like and well-recognized," Norwegian CEO Kevin Sheehan said. "We also appreciate how [he] is focused on ocean conservation and keeping the marine environment pristine."

As a marine artist, Harvey got his first big exposure in America at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show some 28 years ago when he was invited to display his art at the boating event, while living in Jamaica.

Today his reputation as a leading marine artist and ocean conservation champion is widely recognized.

Norwegian also plans to help support the work of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation as it ties in with the company's "strong commitment to the environment," Sheehan said.

The Davie-based foundation funds inspired scientific research and innovative educational programs to encourage conservation and best-management practices for sustainable marine environments, according to its website.

Harvey also spreads his conservation and eco-friendly messages through Guy Harvey OutPost Resorts, a Fort Lauderdale-based hotel branding company he co-owns.

"On [Escape] we'll be showing some of our education documentaries that feature many of the animals that we've portrayed on the hull and other creatures of the Caribbean," Harvey said. "So the whole ship is going to carry the flag of conservation to the clients and to the countries that it visits."

Harvey will also host live presentations and art shows on select sailings.

Itineraries for the new ship go on sale for groups March 19, Norwegian said.

It will join the cruise operator's recently launched 4,000-passenger Norwegian Getaway at PortMiami, which is currently sailing seven-day cruises year-round to the western Caribbean, Sheehan said.